There came a day at Summer's full Entirely for me; I thought that such were for the saints, Where revelations be. The sun, as common, went abroad, The flowers, accustomed, blew, As if no soul the solstice passed That maketh all things new. The time was scarce profaned by speech; The symbol of a word Was needless, as at sacrament The wardrobe of our Lord. Each was to each the sealed church, Permitted to commune this time, Lest we too awkward show At supper of the Lamb. The hours slid fast, as hours will, Clutched tight by greedy hands; So faces on two decks look back, Bound to opposing lands. And so, when all the time had failed, Without external sound, Each bound the other's crucifix, We gave no other bond. Sufficient troth that we shall rise - Deposed, at length, the grave - To that new marriage, justified Through Calvaries of Love!
Six Dickinson Settings
Song Cycle by William Hawley (b. 1950)
1. There came a day at Summer's full
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title, appears in Poems of Emily Dickinson, first published 1890
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]2. A valentine
Language: English
"Sic transit gloria mundi," "How doth the busy bee," "Dum vivimus vivamus." I stay mine enemy! Oh "Veni, vidi, vici!" Oh caput cap-a-pie! And oh "memento mori" When I am far from thee! Hurrah for Peter Parley! Hurrah for Daniel Boone! Three cheers, sir, for the gentleman Who first observed the moon! Peter, put up the sunshine Pattie, arrange the stars: Tell Luna, tea is waiting, And call your brother Mars! Put down the apple, Adam, And come away with me, So thou shalt have a pippin From off my father's tree! I climb the "Hill of Science," I "View the landscape o'er;" Such transcendental prospect, I ne'er beheld before! Unto the Legislature My country bids me go; I'll take my India rubbers, In case the wind should blow! During my education, It was announced to me That gravitation, stumbling, Fell from an apple tree! The earth upon an axis Was once supposed to turn, By way of a gymnastic In honor of the sun! It was the brave Columbus, A sailing o'er the tide, Who notified the nations Of where I would reside! Mortality is fatal -- Gentility is fine, Rascality, heroic, Insolvency, sublime! Our fathers being weary, Lay down on Bunker Hill; And tho' full many a morning, Yet they are sleeping still, -- The trumpet, sir, shall wake them, In dreams I see them rise, Each with a solemn musket A marching to the skies! A coward will remain, Sir, Until the fight is done; But an immortal hero Will take his hat and run! Good-bye, Sir, I am going; My country calleth me; Allow me, sir, at parting, To wipe my weeping e'e. In token of our friendship Accept this "Bonnie Doon," And when the hand that plucked it Hath passed beyond the moon, The memory of my ashes Will consolation be; Then, farewell, Tuscarora, And farewell, sir, to thee!
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]3. As if the Sea should part
Language: English
As if the Sea should part And show a further Sea -- And that -- a further -- and the Three But a presumption be -- Of Periods of Seas -- Unvisited of Shores -- Themselves the Verge of Seas to be -- Eternity -- is Those --
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title, appears in Further poems of Emily Dickinson, first published 1929
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]4. I have a Bird in spring
Language: English
I have a Bird in spring, Which for myself doth sing -- The spring decoys. And as the summer nears -- And as the Rose appears, Robin is gone. Yet do I not repine Knowing that Bird of mine Though flown -- Learneth beyond the sea Melody for me And will return. Fast in a safer hand Held in a truer Land Are mine -- And though they now depart, Tell I my doubting heart They're thine. In a serener Bright, In a more golden light I see Each little doubt and fear, Each little discord here Removed. Then will I not repine, Knowing that Bird of mine Though flown Shall in a distant tree Bright melody for me Return.
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]5. It's like the Light
Language: English
It's like the Light -- A fashionless Delight -- It's like the Bee -- A dateless -- Melody -- It's like the Woods -- Private -- Like the Breeze -- Phraseless -- yet it stirs The proudest Trees -- It's like the Morning -- Best -- when it's done -- And the Everlasting Clocks -- Chime -- Noon!
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]6. On this wondrous sea
Language: English
On this wondrous sea Sailing silently, Ho! Pilot, ho! Knowest thou the Shore Where no breakers roar -- Where the storm is o'er? In the peaceful west Many the sails at rest -- The anchors fast -- Thither I pilot thee -- Land Ho! Eternity! Ashore at last!
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]Total word count: 705